Improvement in bill and paper files



H. BALDWIN. Bill and Paper Piles.

No; 207,477. Patented Aug. 27. 1878.

Zia/6min): flannumzazazwizg nurse interns 'I-ihnnimi BALDWIN, or Wns'r onnsrnn, PENNSYLVANIA.

iMPRovEMENT IN BlLL-AND PAPER FILES.

Specification fOlIXlill" part of Letters Patent No. 207,477, dated Au ust J? 1878 up dii-nlion tiled a o i 7 1 1 per Files, of which the followingis aspecification:

This invention relates to an improved device for holding and filing bills, letters, and other papers; and it has for its object to provide a means by which any convenient number of such papers, properly folded, may be conveniently clamped together in a compact bundle and retained, and at the same time to provide for readily releasing one end of such bundle in order thatthe indorseinents upon the separate papers maybe readily examined without separating the papers of the bundle, asinore fully hereinafter specified.

My invention consists of a rectangular base or table provided with four vertical hollow standards, two of which are stationary and the other two pivoted to said base, so that they may be turned down into a horizontal position, ea clrofsaid standards being provided with a longitudinal slot or opening, into which set the ends of two transverse binding-rods, which are provided withbinding springs, adapted to slide in the hollow standards and hold tlie. rods in any desired position, as more fullyhereinafter specified. 1

In the drawing, Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved device; and Fig. 2 represents a transverse vertical section through the base on the line a- :r, Fig. 1, and diametrical] y through onset the hinged standards.

Fig. 3 is a side view with aportion of the base and also a portion of the wall of one of the standards cut away. Fig. i is a detail view, showing the construction of the spring-slides.

The in ttcr A represents arectan gnlar base, con structed of wood or other suitablematerial; and 3B and 13 ii, fourvertieal standards secured to the sides of the same near the ends thereof. Said stai'idards consist of hollow metallic colninns siotted longitud inaliy on their inner sides from end to end, as shown at I), in which slots set the ends of the transverse binding-bars E, which are provided with lriction-s u-ings F, setting in the hollow standards, and adapted July 11, 1878.

to expand and clamp against the interior surfaces of said. standards.

The standards B B are rigidly secured to the base- A in any convenient manner, the standards B B being pivoted to said base by means of pivots G, the sides of said base be ing cut away toward the end, as shown at H, to permit said pivoted standards to be turned down into a horizontal position, for the purpose to be hereinafter specified. Each of said standards is open at the top for the insertion of the cross-bars and their springs, and is provided with a transverse screw, 1), by means of which said cross-bars are confined in said standards after being placed therein.

The letter I represents two abutments, loca t-' which serve-teliinit their inovcment and re tain them in a horizontal position when elevated.

Immediately below the pivoted ends of the standards B B are located the free ends of the flat springs K K, and secured to the lower side of said base. Said free ends of the springs bear against the lower ends of the pivoted standards, and serve to confine the same in position whenleither elevated or depressed.

To file the papers in my improved device, the transverse bars are elevated by means ofthe knobs M thereon a sufiicient distance to leave a proper space for the insertion .of the papers. After the same have been properly arran god upon the base the cross-bars are forced down upon the papers, the friction-springs serving to hold the same in place and secure the papers in'. aeonipact bundle upon the base.

When it is desired to refer to any particular paper the cross-bar secured between the pivoted standards is elevated a sufiicicnt distance, and said standards with the cross bar are thrown into a horizontal position, so as to clear one end of the bundle of papers and leave the same free to be sepa *ated and examined, the other end of the bundle being securely held by the cross-bar between the stationary stand ards.

"When itis desired to remove a paper entirely, after the proper one has been selected, the bar of the stationary standards is sulliciently elevated to permit the paper to he slipped out.

After this the pivoted standards and the crosshars may he returned to their normal position, securing the papers again.

The advantages of my invention consist in its simplicity, eheapness of construction, andthe convenience with wh ieh it can bUIOPOIfIIfid. Moreover, it forms a neat and ornainen fleviee, by means of which the papers may be temporarily retained in a compact form, and referred to or removed without inconvenience, the whole occupying but little more room than an ordinary package of similar papers.

\Vhat I claim is- 1. Ina paper-file, the combination, with slot.- ted tubular standards and a transverse or cross bar, of friction springs fitted in the standards and attached to the ends of the said bar, and adapted to hold the same in any adjustedpesi Lion t'rietiona'i een'taet,as setforth.

2. The C(Jiilbillithimi or" the stationary standends with transverse clamping-bar, andthe piv' oted standards and transverse clamping-bar, whereby the ends of the papers' may be left free in order to examine the papersseparately, snhst'antially as specified. v I

3. The combinati on of the imeu standards and their clamping-bar, the springs bearing against said standards for holding the same in a vertical or horizontal position, substantially as specified. 7

In testimony that I claim the 1u1egomg1 have hereunto set my hand in the prese ee of the subscribing witnesses.

Y NNUM BALDWIN.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN ARUPERT, J. H. DARLINGTON. 

